The Golden Age group meets every Friday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at 727 S. 5th in Hamilton. If you are a senior citizen and are bored, looking for fun or just want something new to experience, attend and enjoy good food, live music, dancing and fellowship. Cost is $5 per couple and $3 per single. Snacks are potluck. Exercise classes are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. Blood pressure is checked every first Wednesday of the month. Also on the first Wednesday of every month a potluck is held at 12:30 p.m. followed by the business meeting. Card parties are held on the second Wednesday at 7 p.m. On the last Wednesday of the month a birthday party is held at 2 p.m.

Al-Anon

Stevensville Al-Anon Group meets each Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the

North Valley Public Library. Anyone who is affected by the compulsive

drinking of a relative or friend is invited. For more information call

TOPS
Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a weight loss support group, meets in Stevensville every Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck Street. Guests are always welcome. Call Jerry Sue at 777-5355 for more information.

VFW meetings

VFW Post 1430 meets the first Monday of every month at 8 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Hamilton.

Florence American Legion

The Florence American Legion Post 134 meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Florence Fire Hall. For further information contact Post Commander Jim Hamilton at 777-3948.

Stevensville American Legion

The Stevensville American Legion Post 94 meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Post Home on Middle Burnt Fork Road. For more information contact Jerry Esmay, 777-5517.

American Legion Auxiliary

Fort Owen Post 94, Stevensville, American Legion Auxiliary meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Call 777-4335 for location.

Corvallis American Legion

The Corvallis American Legion Post 91 meets the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Corvallis High School library. For further information contact Post Commander Alex Ivanoff at 961-8997 or Post Adjutant Roy Meyer, 961-4272.

WIC clinics

A WIC clinic is offered in Hamilton Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 205 Bedford St, Suite P, District Courthouse building in Hamilton.
The Stevensville clinic is open on Wednesdays at the United Methodist Church, 216 College St. in Stevensville. The Victor clinic is open the second Monday of the month at the Victor Nazarene Church. The Darby clinic is open every other month, the third Monday of the month at the Darby Library. For more information call 375-6685.

Sapphire Quilt Club
The Sapphire Quilt Club meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Stevensville Senior Center, 100 Mission Street. Teaching of short cuts and easy techniques begin at 6:30 p.m. Join this fun group of people to learn about quilting. For information, contact Linda Powell at 777-1070.

Grief Support Groups

When you grieve the death of a loved one, you sometimes hide it so others think you’re over your sorrow and loss. Marcus Daly Hospice offers an opportunity to share grieving experiences and grow from them.

For the men in our community dealing with the death of a loved one, Marcus Daly Hospice offers a men’s breakfast support group. The Men’s Bereavement Support Breakfast meets at 9 a.m. every second and fourth Friday of the month in the Marcus Daly Hospice dining room. Breakfast is provided for a $3 donation per person. Call 375-4752 to reserve your spot.

For anyone in our community dealing with the loss of a loved one, Tuesday afternoons from 2-3:30 p.m. a bereavement support group meets in the Marcus Daly Hospice Center living room. All are welcome.

Habla Espanol? Do you travel? Do you work with Latinos? Do you just want to keep your mind sharp? If you are a beginner or just a bit rusty, join the Stevi Spanish Conversation Group at the North Valley Public Library Wednesdays from 6 to 7 pm to brush up on your Spanish language skills. This is not a class to learn to speak Spanish. It will be an informal, weekly gathering to practice speaking the Spanish language. The focus will be role playing for situations experienced during travel and everyday life. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.

Soroptimists

Soroptimist International of Hamilton meets the first, second and third Thursdays of each month at noon at BJ’s Restaurant. Soroptimist is a worldwide organization for women in management and professions working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women. All interested business women are encouraged to attend.Rotary Club
The Hamilton Rotary Club meets Mondays, 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. First Street, Hamilton. For information about Rotary, call 363-2960.

PFLAG Chapter

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) meets every third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in the basement, 600 S. 3rd St., Hamilton in order to offer support to families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the local community. Chapter representatives Dr. Michael Moran and Terry Moran list one of PFLAG’s primary objectives as maintaining families in loving relationships and to keep families together.

For more information contact Terry Moran, 363-7656. Center for Spiritual Living

The Center for Spiritual Living, Bitterroot Valley meets every Sunday at 10 a.m. at the South Valley Child & Family Center, 515 Madison St. in Hamilton. Learn and share while celebrating our individual and collective spiritual growth. Services are based on Ernest Holmes’ Science of Mind philosophy and support positive global transformation through personal spiritual practice (visit the website: UnitedCentersforSpiritualLiving.org/). Transportation to the Sunday gatherings can be arranged from several communities in the Bitterroot Valley. For more information, contact Barb at 375-9996 or Dave at 381-2355; or email: BitterrootCSL@gmail.com/.

Legion bingo

B-I-N-G-O! Join American Legion Fort Owen Post 94, in Stevensville, for free popcorn and an entertaining evening of bingo. The action starts at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center in Stevensville on the first and third Thursdays of the month. All prizes are cash and proceeds go to support American Legion youth activities.

Valley Veterans ServicesEver wonder what VA benefits you’re entitled to? Valley Veterans Service Center provides free assistance to veterans and their dependents in filing claims with the VA. Valley Veterans Service Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by for a visit or call for an appointment at 363-9838. The center is located at 299 Fairgrounds Road, Suite 4 in Hamilton or online at http://valleyveteransservicecenter.org/

Veteran-to-Veteran (V2V) meetings
The V2V outreach group meets every Friday morning at 8 a.m. in the backroom at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. These informal meetings are for all veterans. Many veterans have both unresolved and resolved issues from their experiences in the military that impact their lives. At the meetings participants can discuss whatever they want and the outreach group gives veterans an opportunity to get together to share information and talk about issues. For further information contact Dan Mayer, 360-5435, from the Bitterroot Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Vietnam Veterans of America

The Bitterroot Chapter #938 of the Vietnam Veterans of America meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 319 N. 3rd. Vietnam era veterans often need assistance with problems and issues and many have similar stories. The Bitterroot Chapter VVA is your organization to provide the opportunity to obtain and share information, to organize grass root activities, lend a helping hand, and offer assistance to all veterans in dealing with the Veterans Administration. Also, through the National VVA organization, the local chapter supplies input to state and federal government legislators on issues important to veterans. For more information contact George Mayer, 360-5435.

Waldorf Inspired Parent-Child
Waldorf Inspired Parent-Child meets Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for creative play, songs, stories, crafts, cooking, baking and nature walks. All families, expectant parents, and children birth to 6 years are welcome. For more information and location contact Kim at 369-0213. This Early Childhood Education Program as well as seasonal workshops and festivals for the community are sponsored by The Bitterroot School. Visit www.thebitterrootschool.com and www.whywaldorfworks.com to find out more about this and other programs.

Veterans affairs clinics

Andrea Montee, Service Officer for the Montana Veterans Affairs Division in Missoula, will be available to veterans and their dependents that have questions or need to file a claim with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs on the second Tuesday of every month from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Stevensville Town Council Chambers and from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Job Service office. She will also be at the Job Service office every fourth Wednesday of the month from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information call 542-2501.

Trap Club

The Hamilton Trap Club is open every Wednesday and Sunday from 12 noon until dusk unless people get done shooting trap before dusk. For more information contact Dick or Cheryl Wallis at 546-3856. The Trap Club is located at the Hamilton Airport.

Bitterroot Toastmasters

Bitterroot Toastmasters Club meets Wednesdays from 12 to 1 p.m. at Perkins Restaurant in Hamilton with optional no host lunch before or after. Meetings are designed to build confidence and skills in communication and leadership. Guests are welcome. Call Douglas at 381-3214 for more information.

Toddler story time

It’s never too early to introduce your baby or toddler to the wonderful world of books and reading. Together you will discover the joy of songs, finger plays, simple books and bouncing rhymes. The toddler story time for babies through age 2 meets every Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library. Toddler story time lasts approximately 45 minutes. For more information, call 363-1670.

Safety seat fitting station

Mildenberger Motors will be teaching families how to safely transport their children on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The dealership will serve as the site of a monthly child safety seat checkup event to help ensure that children are using car seats, booster seats and seat belts the right way on every ride. At these events, nationally certified child passenger safety technicians will teach families how to transport children correctly. The events are open to the public. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment call Lonie Hutchison at 546-9640 or 258-3880.

Elks dinner
The Elks Club at 203 State Street in Hamilton serves dinner to the public every Wednesday at 6 p.m. The $8.50 complete meal includes dessert and coffee. Proceeds help to aid Elks charities. For more information call 363-3031.

Sabre Soccer meetings
Stevensville Sabre Soccer meetings are held the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Main Street Association building in Stevensville. The general public and all interested parties are welcome to attend. For more information contact Brooke Flynn at 880-2903.

Bitterroot Connections

Bitterroot Connections referral group (a sub-network of the Missoula Businesswomen’s Network) meets monthly for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Hamilton Perkins Restaurant. Looking to grow your business? Come and meet a group of supportive women who get to know each other through member spotlight presentations, educational topics, and the referral and promotion of each other’s businesses. Call Sue Gust at 360-0820 or e-mail suegust@kikapaprika.com for more information or visit www.discovermbn.com for additional opportunities.

Empowerment group

The Bitterroot Empowerment group (a sub-network of the Missoula Businesswomen’s Network) meets the first Thursday of every month at Perkins Restaurant in Hamilton from noon to 1 p.m. Participate in an experience that can help you reach your goals, both personal and business related. Programs have a wide range of interest varying from month to month but the feeling of support and camaraderie will remain constant. Call Jane Foster at 406-531-9556 or 777-2280 or email Jane@fosterandfosterfs.com for more information or visit www.discovermbn.com for additional opportunities.

Fiber Arts Guild

Big Sky Fiber Arts Guild meets the last Saturday of every month. If you are a wool spinner or work with fibers, contact Shelley at 777-5205 or Marty at 777-2421 for location or information.

Women Helping Women

Want to be a healthily you? Looking for a support group to help you lose unwanted pounds? Women Helping Women meets Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. at the Conner Wesleyan Church, 4674 Hwy 93, seven miles south of Darby. For more information call 821-3570.

Men’s Bereavement Breakfast

Marcus Daly Hospice sponsors a monthly Men’s Bereavement Support Breakfast on the second and fourth Friday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Marcus Daly Hospice Dining Room. This is a special opportunity for men coping with the loss of a spouse or loved one to gather and share their journey of healing. Informal discussions are led by a trained Bereavement Facilitator and cover topics such as, embracing our grief, personal growth, forming new relationships, and more. Interested parties can contact Cathy Palmer, MFT, Marcus Daly Hospice Bereavement Coordinator at 363-6503. A donation of $3.00 for breakfast is greatly appreciated.

Bitterroot Moms Club
Join a local group for moms to meet new friends, learn more about the area, host or attend play dates, book clubs, outings and much more. The group is geared for moms and children to interact during the day but there are occasional events for moms in the evening. For more information go to meetup.com and under “Topic,” type in The Bitterroot Valley Moms Meetup Group or call 777-7234.

Acoustic music jam sessions

Everyone is invited to the music jam sessions at the Rocky Mountain Grange Hall south of Hamilton each Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. Players of all levels are invited to bring their guitars, mandolins, harmonicas, fiddles, banjos, Dobros, or other acoustic instrument. Music includes old-time country, swing, cowboy, folk, old standards, etc. There is no charge for admission. And folks who just want to listen are encouraged to come – it’s always more fun with an audience. And don’t forget the monthly concert: The Bitterroot Valley Good-Time Jamboree. It’s the first Saturday of each month from 7 to 9:30 p.m., also at The Grange. The Grange Hall is located about a mile south of town at 1436 South 1st Street (93 highway), just south of the Valley Pet Clinic. For more information call Clem, 961-4949.

Ragtime Society
The Bitterroot Valley Ragtime Society meets on the first Saturday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Hamilton Pub in Victor. There is no charge for membership, all are welcome. Come on out and listen to some vintage American music from the ragtime and early jazz era! For further information call 916-759-3168.

Pet Bereavement Group

Grieving the loss of a beloved pet? If you are in need of support and comfort, come join the Pet Bereavement Group as they explore the things we’ve learned from animals we’ve shared our lives with. Tell the story of your love, learn about healthy grieving and how so ease the pain of loss using homeopathy. The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at 21st Century Homeopathy, 813 S. 1st St., Hamilton. Facilitators are Mary Wulff and Jeanie Notti-Fullerton. For more information call 370-0699.

Book discussions

The Bitterroot Public Library offers a “Brown Bag It” Book discussion group on the last Thursday of the month from noon to 1 p.m. in the West Meeting Room. Newcomers are welcome.

September 30 – “The Innocent Man” by John Grisham

October 27 – “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain

November 17 – “Siddhartha” by Herman Hesse

December – “A Hope in the Unseen” by Ron Suskind

Bitterroot growers’ market

The Bitterroot Valley Growers’ Market is held every Saturday from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. at Caffe Firenze in Florence. The market features all locally grown and locally made products. Vendor spaces are free. Call Eric or Suzanne at 777-0709 for more information.

Universal Life Church/Ohaot Spiritual Society services

The Universal Life Church of Hamilton and the Ohaot Spiritual Society holds bi-weekly services at 396 Zimmerman Lane in Hamilton. The services will begin at 2 p.m. with the lighting of a Sacred Fire and will include a Purification/Sweat Lodge Ceremony. Those wishing to participate should fast the day of the service and bring a dish to share with everyone after the lodge. Also, those planning on participating in the lodge ceremony should arrive a little before 2 p.m. to build connections with other participants and to hear the instructions for the lodge. The ceremony begins with the lighting of the Sacred Fire and should be over around 6 p.m. A Give-Away Blanket will be laid out at the Lodge for donations. Also, donations of firewood, old blankets, sheets, curtains and canvas are being sought for the lodge structure. It is recommended that all participants bring something to sit on outside and a towel to use after the lodge. The Elder is also available for individual and couple counseling and private teachings. Everyone is welcome to attend these services and ceremony. For more information and location contact Dan at 381-0742 or via email at ohaotsociety@gmail.com.

Spiritual discussion group
Between The Worlds metaphysical store in Hamilton is hosting a free Spiritual Discussion Group each week from 7 to 8 p.m. on the first Monday evening of each month and on Wednesday evenings the rest of month. These moderated discussions are open to everyone and are for people who wish to add understanding to their own particular spiritual path. All spiritual paths are respected and no one single path is promoted. This is a time for learning, getting to know new friends and sharing food and fun together. Between The Worlds is located at 205 W. Main Street, Suite B in Hamilton. For information, call 363-2969 or 381-2355.

Darby Bread Box collections

During September the Darby Bread Box food bank is collecting Rice a Roni, cereal and canned tomatoes. Drop off donations at People’s Market or Bitterroot Community Credit Union in Darby. Any donations would be appreciated. Also, the food bank is in need of processed meat. For more information call 821-2081.

Pantry Partners collections

Pantry Partners Food Bank in Stevensville is in need of peanut butter, jelly, mac and cheese, soup, rice, sugar, and flour. For information call the Pantry at 777-0351.

Stevensville Farmers Market

The Stevensville Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and First Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. in the parking lot behind Rocky Mountain Bank on E. Third. On Wednesday evenings the market is held at Cenex from 4 to 7 p.m. Vendors are welcome. For more information contact Thera at 777-9993.

Lutheran preschool registration

Our Savior Lutheran Preschool of Stevensville continues to accept registrations for its three-year-old class. Call 777-5625 weekday mornings for information on socialization and learning opportunities for your child. Our Savior is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and is located at 184 Pine Hollow Road, about one mile south of Family Pharmacy on the Eastside Highway. Turn east on Pine Hollow, cross the tracks and the canal, and the church will be on your left, marked by three crosses.

Bereavement Support Group

Aspen Hospice Bereavement Support Group will meet now through December 8, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at North Valley Public Library Meeting Room in Stevensville. Meetings are bimonthly and open to attend at any time during support group cycle. Contact Jennifer or Lois at 642-3010.

MOPS

MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers, in the Bitterroot Valley, meets every first and third Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Lone Rock Bible Church, 1142 Three Mile Creek Rd. There is free care and activities for the preschoolers, while the moms come together to be nurtured, find new friends, and enjoy a caring atmosphere as they strive to be the best moms they can be. For information call Shauna Pernsteiner, 777-5189, or Amy Herron, 777-2957.

Driver education class

Signups are in progress at the Stevensville High School office (777-5481) for the next driver education course at Stevensville High School. The class will run approximately September 21 to November 15 and is open to any student who is at least 14-1/2 years of age by October 13, 2011 or older from Stevensville High School or a home school. Cost is $250. An informational meeting for students of SHS will be held September 12 at 12:24 in High School Room 103. Out of district and/or home school students may register by phone. Information will then be mailed as soon as possible Call John Munk at 777-5539 for more information.